PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - G E Pence
TI  - Can compassion be taught?
AID  - 10.1136/jme.9.4.189
DP  - 1983 Dec 01
TA  - Journal of Medical Ethics
PG  - 189--191
VI  - 9
IP  - 4
4099  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/9/4/189.short
4100  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/9/4/189.full
SO  - J Med Ethics1983 Dec 01; 9
AB  - Socrates (in the Meno) denied that virtues like courage could be taught, whereas Protagoras defended this claim. Compassion is discussed below in this context; it is distinguished from related, but different, moral qualities, and the role of imagination is emphasised. 'Sympathy's and role-modelling views of compassion's acquisition are criticised. Compassion can indeed be taught, but neither by the example of a few, isolated physicians nor by creation of Departments of Compassion. In replying to one standard objection to teaching compassion, it is emphasised that scientific competence and compassion aren't mutually exclusive.